VIGNEAULT: Sister Yvonne, 78, formerly Sister Mary Cyril, a Sister of St. Martha of Antigonish, died suddenly on January 12, 2017 at her family home in Bras d’Or, Cape Breton, N.S. She was in her 59th year of her religious life.
Born in Sydney Mines, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Sister Yvonne was the daughter of the late Jenny Mae (Carey) and William Patrick Vigneault of Florence, Cape Breton, NS.
Sister Yvonne entered the Sisters of St. Martha on August 15, 1956, pronounced her first vows on August 15, 1958, and her final vows on August 15, 1961.
Sister ministered in the teaching profession in Antigonish at St. Andrew’s Convent, in Dominion at St. Charles Convent, in Guysborough Co., at Little Dover School, in British Columbia with Kamloops School Board and with the Eskasoni School Board in Cape Breton. Sister Yvonne received her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education Degrees from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish. She also received a Certificate in Theological Studies at Regis College and University of Toronto. In 1991 she completed her Clinical Pastoral Education from St. John’s Hospital and New Theological School of Lowell, MA, U.S.A. Sister Yvonne also received her certification for Spiritual Direction and Directed Retreats from Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska.
Sister Yvonne served as Local Superior at Star of the Sea Convent, Canso, and at Marian Community in Antigonish, as well as at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Convent in Kamloops, B.C. In 1985, Sister Yvonne was elected to the General Council of the Congregation and served as Assistant General Superior and as Local Superior of Mt. Carmel Community. In 1994, she was elected Congregation Leader of the Sisters of St. Martha for a five year term. From 2000 – 2010, Sister served at Wellspring, the CSM Ministry at St. Francis Xavier University. In September of 2010, Sister Yvonne accepted to serve as Bethany’s Community Leader. She died while continuing her ministry and service in this role. She and we had hoped she would be here when we would make our move to the Shannex Residence close to our present home at Bethany. One friend of the Congregation wrote in an e-mail: "Sister Yvonne’s life, wisdom and leadership exemplified all that the Sisters of St. Martha stand for."
Besides her parents, Sister Yvonne was predeceased by one sister, Anne Brennick. She is survived by one brother, George, and sisters Lorraine Fraser and Adelaide MacNeil, numerous nieces and nephews to whom she was devoted and also step sisters, Eileen (Angus) Romeo and Evelyn (Johnny) MacDougall.
The remains will be resting at Bethany, beginning on Tuesday, January 17, at 1:15 p.m. A Celebration of Vigil will be held on the same evening at 7:30 p.m. Liturgy of Christian burial will take place on Wednesday January 18, at 2:00 p.m. in Bethany Chapel.
Arrangements are under the direction of C.L. Curry Funeral Home, Antigonish. Online condolences: www.clcurry.com